Vehicle having vehicle-mounted dual retractable telescoping structures housing surveillance equipment with one structure being mounted to flatbed of the vehicle and another structure being fully retractable within vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle is provided having an interior cabin and a roof at the top of the interior cabin. The vehicle includes a flatbed, an opening in the roof of the interior cabin, a first retractable telescoping structure having a first set of surveillance equipment mounted to the flatbed, and a second retractable telescoping structure having a second set of surveillance equipment mounted so as to extend through the opening of the roof, and to fully retract into the interior cabin. A sealing device mounts to the second retractable telescoping structure below the second set of surveillance equipment and oriented parallel to the roof of the interior cabin. The sealing device includes an elastically deformable gasket that elastically deforms during travel of the sealing device through the roof of the interior cabin when the second set of surveillance equipment extends through the opening in the roof during extension of the second retractable telescoping structure, and when the second set of surveillance equipment retracts into the interior cabin during retraction of the second retractable telescoping structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.62/720,085 filed Aug. 20, 2018, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retractable vehicle-mounted mobile surveillance equipment (alsointerchangeably referred to as “sensors”) is well-known in the art. Oneexample of such equipment is Freedom-On-The-Move (FOTM 3.0), which iscommercially available from Freedom Surveillance, LLC dba STRONGWATCH®,Scottsdale, Ariz. The surveillance equipment is mounted to a flatbed ofa truck. In its retractable state, the equipment fits entirely withinthe flatbed so that it can be completely hidden and protected from theelements using a conventional flatbed covering. FIGS. 5A and 5B areprior art views of such a truck. FIG. 5A shows the truck duringoperation of the surveillance equipment, and FIG. 5B shows the truckwhen the surveillance equipment is in its retracted state.

However, it is desirable to include additional surveillance equipment onthe vehicle that is fully retractable into the interior space of thevehicle when not in use, and which can be retracted out of the vehicleduring use. It is further desirable for the additional surveillanceequipment to be hidden from view and protected from the elements when itis fully retractable into the interior space of the vehicle. The presentinvention fulfills such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle is provided having an interior cabin and a roof at the top ofthe interior cabin. The vehicle includes a flatbed, an opening in theroof of the interior cabin, a first retractable telescoping structurehaving a first set of surveillance equipment mounted to the flatbed, anda second retractable telescoping structure having a second set ofsurveillance equipment mounted so as to extend through the opening ofthe roof, and to fully retract into the interior cabin. A sealing devicemounts to the second retractable telescoping structure below the secondset of surveillance equipment and oriented parallel to the roof of theinterior cabin. The sealing device includes an elastically deformablegasket that elastically deforms during travel of the sealing devicethrough the roof of the interior cabin when the second set ofsurveillance equipment extends through the opening in the roof duringextension of the second retractable telescoping structure, and when thesecond set of surveillance equipment retracts into the interior cabinduring retraction of the second retractable telescoping structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In thedrawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a vehicle in accordance withone preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2F are views of a retractable telescoping structure having aset of surveillance equipment mounted thereon, and a sealing device, forinstallation inside of the vehicle, in accordance with one preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sealing device shown in FIGS. 2A-2F,in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4E are additional views and embodiments of the retractabletelescoping structure having the set of surveillance equipment mountedthereon, and the sealing device shown in FIGS. 2A-2F.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a prior art vehicle.

FIG. 6 shows a top surface of the sealing device that includes strips ofheating elements, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show embodiments of the sealing device that includemagnets.

FIG. 8 shows a view of FIG. 4A, with the addition of a leveler, inaccordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. The words “a” and “an”,as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of thespecification, mean “at least one.”

I. Overview

Referring to FIG. 1A, in one preferred embodiment, the vehicle is atruck-like vehicle 10 comprising at least the following structural andadditional add-on elements:

i. A flatbed 12.

ii. A retractable sunroof/moonroof 14 (hereafter, referred to as“sunroof 14”), preferably, having a horizontally retractable mechanism.More broadly, the sunroof 14 may simply be an opening cut through theroof of the vehicle 10 to allow objects to protrude out of the interiorcabin of the vehicle 10. Thus, the sunroof 14 is one embodiment of suchan opening. In one preferred embodiment, the sunroof 14 is mounted inreverse and programmed so that the tilt mechanism is disabled in orderto prevent dust and debris from entering the vehicle when mobile. InFIG. 1A, the sunroof 14 is open.

iii. A first retractable telescoping structure 16 having a first set ofsurveillance equipment 18 mounted thereon. The first retractabletelescoping structure 16 is fastened at its bottom to the floor of theflatbed 12, or to a mounting mechanism (not shown) that is fastened tothe floor of the flatbed. The first retractable telescoping structure 16retracts to a form factor that allows it, and the associated first setof surveillance equipment 18, to be completely stored in the flatbed andfully covered by flatbed cover 20, shown in its rolled up position inFIG. 1. In its fully extended, upright position, the first retractabletelescoping structure 16 effectively functions as a mast, and the firstset of surveillance equipment 18 is preferably mounted at or near a topportion of the mast. The first retractable telescoping structure may bethe conventional structure described above, namely, FOTM 3.0. In onepreferred embodiment, the first retractable telescoping structure 16 hasa platform 19, and the first set of surveillance equipment 18 isremovably mounted to the platform 19.

iv. A second retractable telescoping structure 22 having a second set ofsurveillance equipment 24 mounted thereon. When fully retracted, thesecond retractable telescoping structure 22 and the second set ofsurveillance equipment 24 is completely inside of the vehicle. When thesecond set of surveillance equipment 24 is in use, the secondretractable telescoping structure allows the second set of surveillanceequipment 24 to extend through the sunroof 14 by an amount sufficient toallow the second set of surveillance equipment 24 to be fully externalto the vehicle 10. In its fully extended, upright position, the secondretractable telescoping structure 22 also effectively functions as amast, and the second set of surveillance equipment 24 is preferablymounted at or near a top portion of the mast.

v. A sealing device 26 to inhibit water and/or dirt from entering thepassenger compartment of the vehicle 10 through the open sunroof 14 whenthe second set of surveillance equipment 24 is fully external to thevehicle 10, such as when it is in use. The sealing device 26 is fixed toa platform of the second retractable telescoping structure 22 asdescribed in more detail below, and has a form factor that slightlyexceeds the length and width dimensions of the sunroof 14, so as toprovide a water-tight roof cover, and so that any water and/or dirt willhave a harder time penetrating into the passenger compartment of thevehicle 10 (also, referred to interchangeably as the “interior cabin” or“interior cab”). The sealing device 26 also seals the interior cabinfrom the external environment so that if the interior cabin is airconditioned or heated, the cold or warm air will be inhibited fromescaping out through the sunroof 14. The vehicle 10 may be deployed inharsh environments, such as deserts, where extreme heat, or snow and/orice, may be present.

FIG. 1B shows the truck 10 of FIG. 1A when the first and second sets ofsurveillance equipment 18 and 24 are concealed, and the sunroof 14 isclosed, and thus sunroof cover 25 is visible.

II. Detailed Disclosure

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the sealing device 26 in accordancewith one preferred embodiment. The sealing device 26 includes a rigidsupport plate 40, an elastically deformable gasket 42, and a backingframe or flange 44. The elastically deformable gasket 42 is attached tothe rigid support plate 40 via fasteners 46. Additional details of thesecomponents are described below.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show one embodiment of the second retractabletelescoping structure 22 as being a scissor jack mechanism 28 with a topplatform 30. The second set of surveillance equipment 24 is secured to,or mounted onto, the second retractable telescoping structure 22(scissor jack mechanism 28 with the top platform 30) as follows:

i. A pedestal-type brace 36 is fastened at one end to the top surface ofthe scissor jack top platform 30, and is attached at the other end tothe bottom surface of the rigid support plate 40 of the sealing device26.

ii. A support stand 48 having surveillance equipment platform 50 isfastened to the top surface of the rigid support plate 40 of the sealingdevice 26. In one preferred embodiment, the support stand 48 has a fixedheight. In another embodiment, the support stand 48 is attached to, oris integrated with, a small telescoping mast (not shown) to provideadditional height for the second surveillance equipment 24 above theroof line of the vehicle 10.

iii. The surveillance equipment 24 is secured to, or mounted onto, thesurveillance equipment platform 50. In one embodiment, quick connectclamp 52 is used to secure the surveillance equipment 24 to thesurveillance equipment platform 50.

In one configuration, the brace 36 is formed of triangular machinedbracing. The brace 36 stabilizes and supports the support stand 48 andthe selected surveillance equipment that is connected on the top of thesurveillance equipment platform 50 (e.g., camera, sensor, radar, drone).

The dimensions of the top platform 30 are smaller (in length and width)than the dimensions of the sunroof 14 so that the top platform 30 canextend through the sunroof 14. The overall height of the fully retractedscissor jack mechanism 28, the brace 36, the sealing device 26, thesupport stand 48, and the second set of surveillance equipment 24secured to, or mounted thereon, is less than the interior height of thevehicle's interior cabin so that the second set of surveillanceequipment 24 can be hidden completely inside of the vehicle's interiorcabin when not in use, and when the sunroof 14 is closed, as shown inFIG. 1B. If the support stand 48 is attached to, or is integrated with,a small telescoping mast, as described above, the height of the mast inits fully retracted position must be accounted for to ensure that theoverall height of the assembly shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B (also, referredto herein as a “stack”) can still fit entirely within the vehicle 10when the second set of surveillance equipment 24 is not in use.

The second retractable telescoping structure 22, here, scissor jackmechanism 28 is preferably mounted in the back seat of vehicle 10 and onthe back wall of interior cabin using existing seat and seat beltmounting points so that there are no new holes or cutting that wouldimpact the structural integrity of the vehicle 10 or impact itswarranty. Alternatively, the scissor jack mechanism 28 may be fastenedto a plate 32 that lays on, or is slightly elevated from, the backseatfloor 34 of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the scissor jack mechanism 28may be bolted directly to the backseat floor 34 of the vehicle 10.

Other mechanisms that telescopically extend and retract may be used inplace of the scissor jack mechanism 28 for the second retractabletelescoping structure 22.

The vehicle 10 may be a conventional, commercially available pickuptruck, such as a Ford® F-150®. The cab of these vehicles includesmounting points that are typically used for attaching seats, seatbeltsand other typical car components, and which can be used for mounting thesecond retractable telescoping structure 22.

The platforms 19 and 50 of the two respective retractable telescopingstructures 16 and 22 are preferable designed to allow forinterchangeability of the surveillance equipment 18 and 24 mountedthereto. The surveillance equipment 18 and 24 is preferably attached totheir respective platforms 19 and 50 via quick clamp structure,described in more detail below.

FIG. 4C is a top view of the elements shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

In one preferred embodiment, the second set of surveillance equipment 24is a drone, and the top surface of the surveillance equipment platform50 is a drone launching and landing platform (pad). In one alternativedrone embodiment, shown in FIG. 4E, the drone (referred to herein aselement 24) is placed on the surveillance equipment platform 50 prior toextending the second retractable telescoping structure 22 through theroof of the vehicle 10. After the second retractable telescopingstructure 22 is extended to reach its operational position, the drone 24is released via remote control commands, such as from an operator who isinside of the vehicle 10. Upon conclusion of a surveillance session, thedrone 24 is returned to the surveillance equipment platform 50, and thenis retrieved from the surveillance equipment platform 50 after thesecond retractable telescoping structure 22 retracts back into theinterior of the vehicle 10.

In another alternative drone embodiment shown in FIG. 4D, the drone 24is secured to the surveillance equipment platform 50 by a suitable quickrelease mechanism, such as a specialized version of the quick connectclamp 52, that attaches to the legs or other structure of the drone.This embodiment is identical to the previous drone embodiment, exceptthat the quick release mechanism must be released during initiation ofthe surveillance session, and locked back into place after the drone 24is returned to the platform upon conclusion of the surveillance session.One advantage of this alternative embodiment over the embodiment of FIG.4E is that if the vehicle 10 is in motion, there is less likelihood ofthe drone 24 being knocked off of the platform and damaged before andafter it is used.

Any conventional drone and drone launching and landing platform (pad)configuration may be used for these embodiments.

In the preferred embodiment, it is desirable to use a vehicle that has afactory-installed or after-market installed sunroof, instead of cuttinga custom opening into a roof of a vehicle that does not have afactory-installed or after-market installed sunroof. However, the scopeof the invention does not require the use of a vehicle with afactory-installed or after-market installed sunroof. If a custom openingis cut, a leakproof cover plate may be installed over the opening whenthe second set of surveillance equipment 24 is not being used.

Referring again to FIG. 3, sample dimensions and compositions of therigid support plate 40 and elastically deformable gasket 42 thatcomprise the sealing device 26 are as follows:

Rigid support plate 40:

⅛ inch solid galvanized sheet metal (thickness T₂ is ⅛ inch)

22 threaded 5/16 inch holes spaced along perimeter

30 inches×11 inches (L₂₌₃₀ inches; W₂₌₁₁ inches)

Backing frame 44:

⅛ inch solid galvanized sheet metal

22 matching threaded 5/16 inch holes spaced along perimeter

1 inch width

Elastically deformable gasket 42:

38½ inches×18½ inches (L₁=38½ inches; W₁=18½ inches) Gasket extends pastedge of rigid support plate 40 by 3¾ inch along length, and 4¼ inchalong width.

Formed from Neoprene® Rubber Sheet (solid sheet of synthetic rubberproduced by free-radical polymerization of chloroprene, also known as“polychloroprene”)

⅛ inch thickness (thickness T₁ is ⅛ inch)

Durometer: McMaster-Carr, Medium Hard (60A)

Fasteners 46 for attaching rigid support plate 40, elasticallydeformable gasket 42, and backing frame 44 to each other:

5/16 inch threaded Allen head bolts

The scope of the invention is not limited to the dimensions listedabove. The dimensions of the sunroof opening will determine the relativedimensions of the rigid support plate 40 and elastically deformablegasket 42.

If the elastically deformable gasket 42 shown in FIG. 3 is formed fromsheet material, it has a cut-out portion wherein material is removedfrom its center portion so as to allow the center support structure ofthe brace 36 to attach directly to the bottom surface of the rigidsupport plate 40. In this embodiment, the elastically deformable gasket42 can also be characterized as being a “rectangular gasket.” However,the elastically deformable gasket 42 does not necessarily need to havethe cut-out portion, and it may be a uniform, rectangular sheet. In thisembodiment, the fasteners that connect the brace 36 to the bottomsurface of the rigid support plate 40 will also need to pass through thesheet-like elastically deformable gasket 42. For purposes of thisinvention, both embodiments are defined as being “elastically deformablegaskets” since both embodiments perform the function of a gasket,namely, to make a joint fluid-tight.

The elastically deformable gasket 42 may also be formed via a moldprocess. In the mold process, it would not be necessary to remove thecut-out portion, since the mold process would directly form only therectangular gasket.

The elastically deformable gasket 42 has properties of “elasticdeformation,” meaning that the material always returns back to itsoriginal shape after any stress on the gasket is removed. Here, thestress occurs as the sealing device 26 is passed through the sunroof 14.Thus, the deformation is reversible. That is, no permanent deformationoccurs due to stress on the gasket. In contrast to elastic deformation,plastic deformation results in a permanent altering of the originalshape.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the relative dimensions of the rigid supportplate 40 with respect to the elastically deformable gasket 42 and thedimensions of the sunroof 14 are important for optimal performance ofthe sealing device 26. In particular, the ratio L₁/L₂ is about 1.28, andthe ratio of W₁/W₂ is about 1.68. These ratios are for a sunroof 14having an opening of about 32½ inches×about 14 inches, which means thatthe ratio of the sealing device 26 and the opening of the sunroof 14 isabout 1.18 lengthwise, and about 1.32 widthwise. These dimension ratiosallow the elastically deformable gasket 42 to pass through the sunroof14 with relatively low force, while still providing sufficient width inits final position to adequately protect the roof opening from weatherelements.

In one embodiment, the scissor jack mechanism 28 has a fully extendedposition wherein the surveillance equipment platform 50 extends throughthe sunroof, and an operational position wherein the surveillanceequipment platform 50 is slightly above the opening of the sunroof 14.The operational position is the position when the second set ofsurveillance equipment 24 is performing its surveillance functions. Asdiscussed below with respect to FIGS. 2A-2F, the fully extended positionis slightly more extended than the operational position.

FIGS. 2A-2F show the elements of FIGS. 4A and 4B in a variety ofdifferent positions, summarized as follows:

FIG. 2A: The second set of surveillance equipment 24 is fully retractedinto the vehicle 10 and no parts of the equipment 24 extend through thesunroof 14. In this position, the sunroof 14 is preferably closed.

FIG. 2B: The second set of surveillance equipment 24 is being moved toits operational position outside of the vehicle 10, directly above thesunroof 14, by lifting the scissor jack mechanism 28. In this position,the sunroof 14 has been opened. The elastically deformable gasket 42 isdeforming downwardly as the sealing device 26 is pushing through theopening of the sunroof 14.

FIG. 2C: The scissor jack mechanism 28 is in a fully extended position.The second set of surveillance equipment 24 and the sealing device 26are now both outside of the vehicle 10, directly above the sunroof 14.The elastically deformable gasket 42 has returned to its original shapebecause the stress applied to it in the FIG. 2B position has beenremoved.

FIG. 2D: The scissor jack mechanism 28 has been slightly retracted fromits fully extended position to an “operational position,” as describedabove. In this position, the sealing device 26 is seated directly on topof the opening of the sunroof 14. The edges of the elasticallydeformable gasket 42 span across the edges of the opening of the sunroof14 and lay against the roof of the vehicle 10, surrounding the openingof the sunroof 14. In this manner, the sealing device 26 provides thedesired environmental barrier by inhibiting water and/or dirt fromentering the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 through the opensunroof 14.

In one preferred embodiment, the scissor jack mechanism 28 retractsabout 3-4 inches between the positions shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D. Thescissor jack mechanism 28 is preferably programmed to retract by asufficient distance to seal the opening of the sunroof 14. The number oftimes that the scissor jack mechanism 28 pushes the sealing device 26through the opening of the sunroof 14, coupled with the age of theelastically deformable gasket 42, will determine the optimal retractiondistance. As the elastically deformable gasket 42 flexes during use andages over time, it becomes more limp which requires that the sealingdevice 26 be raised higher to allow the elastically deformable gasket 42to clear the opening of the sunroof 14, which, in turn, requires agreater retraction distance to reach the optimum sealing position.

The slight retraction that occurs to form the complete seal can eitherbe (a) manually performed by the vehicle operator, (b) pre-programmed toaccount for the height of the entire assembly (stack) shown in FIGS.2A-2E, and the characteristics of the seal, or (c) automaticallyretracted until contact sensors (not shown) on the corners of theelastically deformable gasket 42 make contact with the roof of thevehicle 10.

FIG. 2E: Upon conclusion of a surveillance session, the scissor jackmechanism begins to retract so as to bring the second set ofsurveillance equipment 24 back into the interior cabin of the vehicle10. In this position, the elastically deformable gasket 42 is deformingupwardly as the sealing device 26 is pushing through the opening of thesunroof 14, but in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2F: The second set of surveillance equipment 24 is now fullyretracted into the vehicle 10 and no parts of the equipment 24 extendthrough the sunroof 14. In this position, the sunroof 14 is preferablyclosed. FIG. 2F thus depicts the same positioning as FIG. 2A. Theelastically deformable gasket 42 has again returned to its originalshape because the stress applied to it in the FIG. 2E position has beenremoved.

In one alternative embodiment, the pedestal-type brace 36 is not part ofthe assembly of elements associated with the second retractabletelescoping structure 22 having the second set of surveillance equipment24 mounted thereon (stack). In this alternative embodiment, the topsurface of the scissor jack top platform 30 is attached directly to thebottom surface of the rigid support plate 40 of the sealing device 26.Thus, this embodiment is identical to FIGS. 4A and 4B, except for theremoval of the brace 36.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the sealing device 26 is formedsolely of the elastically deformable gasket 42, either in a solid sheetform, or in a rectangular gasket form with a rectangular cutout centerregion, and is attached directly to the top surface of the scissor jacktop platform 30. In this embodiment, the second set of surveillanceequipment 24 may also be attached to the top surface of the scissor jacktop platform 30, such as via the support stand 48. The elasticallydeformable gasket 42 is still positioned between the second set ofsurveillance equipment 24 and the top surface of the scissor jack topplatform 30 so as to provide the same desired environmental sealingprotection as the other embodiments.

The surveillance equipment that is mounted to each of the retractabletelescoping structures includes one or more sensors. The sensors may beoptical, infrared, thermal, acoustic, radar, seismic RF (to detectlocation and range of RF signals), or any combinations thereof, or anyother known forms of surveillance sensors. One or more of the sensorsmay incorporate a GPS compass, inertial sensors and range-finding sensor(e.g. laser rangefinder) to determine the location of an item ofinterest (referred to herein as a “target”) as a set of GPS coordinates.

The sensors may communicate with each other so that they can workcooperatively. That is, each sensor can generate data that can be usedto direct other sensors. For example, one sensor (e.g., radar) maydetect a target and the GPS coordinates of its location, and maycommunicate the target location to another sensor (e.g., opticalsensor). The other sensor may then use the location data of the targetto either manually (if operated by a person) or automatically point thesensor at the target, such that the target is within a field of view ofthe optical sensor. A software system is provided to coordinate andcontrol the operation of the platforms and the sensors mounted thereon.Sensor communication and software systems for target tracking may usesystems and methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,267,598 (Fougnies),which is incorporated by reference herein, wherein the lead and followerscopes described in this patent are equivalent to the surveillanceequipment 18 and 24 (sensors) on the respective first and secondretractable telescoping structures 16 and 22.

The following are sample specifications for surveillance equipment andcorresponding mounting structure, in accordance with one preferredembodiment of the present invention.

Surveillance equipment 18:

SMSS (Stabilized Multi-Sensor System)

i. 2-axis gyro-stabilized precision gimbal

ii. MWIR 700 mm cooled camera—capable of 7.5 mile human detection (usingturbulence mitigation software enhancement)

iii. HD Color camera with zoom lens, 1920×1080 resolution

iv. LRF—up to 10 km human detection range; eye-safe

v. Laser Illuminator—visible to Night Vision Goggles (NVGs); eye-safe

Surveillance equipment 24:

Integrated Long-Range Radar System

i. SRC SR Hawk ground surveillance radar up to 7.5 miles human detection(SR Hawk™ Ground Surveillance Radar, commercially available from SRC,Inc., North Syracuse, N.Y.)

ii. 360 degree coverage

iii. Tracks up to 350 simultaneous targets

iv. Elevated through roof of crew cab of any GFE full-sized ½ ton orlarger truck (possible scissor/platform, cobra or pneumatic tubular mastlift options)

v. Automatic bottle jack, frame mounted leveling system

In one preferred embodiment, a leveler is provided as part of thescissor jack mechanism 28. Certain sensors, such as radar, require thatthe platform on which they are mounted is level with the horizon.However, depending on the terrain, the vehicle 10 may not be level.Using a leveling sensor alone or in conjunction with a gyroscope, aleveler determines the extent to which the vehicle is not level with thehorizon and adjusts the sensor platform. Alternatively, the entirevehicle may be leveled using commercially available leveling systems.

In one preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, leveler 66 is installedbetween the scissor jack 28 and the brace 36 on top of the platform 30of the scissor jack 28. More specifically, a bottom surface of theleveler 66 is fastened to a top surface of the platform 30, and a topsurface of the leveler is fastened to a bottom surface of the brace 36.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the top surface of thesealing device 26 includes strips of heating elements 60, similar to avehicle window glass defroster so as to inhibit buildup of snow and/orice on the sealing device 26. The heating elements 60 may be powered bythe battery of the vehicle 10, or by another source of power that isavailable inside of the vehicle 10. Collected snow and/or ice maypotentially interfere with retraction of the second surveillanceequipment 24 into the vehicle 10.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show other alternative embodiments wherein the bottomsurface of the elastically deformable gasket 42 of the sealing device 26includes magnets placed around the outer edges so as to more securelyhold the sealing device 26 against the roof of the vehicle 10, such asdue to wind that might allow rain or snow to get underneath the sealingdevice 26. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, magnets 62 are securelyfastened at each of the corners. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7B,flexible magnetic tape (also, referred to as “flexible magnetic strip”)64 is used. In both embodiments, the flux of the magnetic material isselected so as to be strong enough to hold the edges of the elasticallydeformable gasket 42 against the roof of the vehicle 10, but weak enoughto allow the elastically deformable gasket 42 to easily release from theroof of the vehicle 10 during retraction process illustrated in FIGS. 2Dand 2E.

These embodiments presume that the roof of the vehicle 10 is metallic,and that when the second set of surveillance equipment 24 is in itsoperational position (FIG. 2D), the outer edges of the elasticallydeformable gasket 42 extend past the outer edges of the frame of thesunroof 14 and seat against the roof of the vehicle 10. If the roof ofthe vehicle is non-metallic, such as aluminum, metallic material isfastened to the roof of the vehicle 10 to mate with the magnets 62 or64. Alternatively, if the outer edges of the elastically deformablegasket 42 seat against the outer edges of the frame of a non-metallicsunroof 14 and do not extend over the roof of the vehicle 10, metallicmaterial is fastened to the outer edges of the frame of the sunroof 14.If metallic material is already present in the frame of the sunroof 14,this metallic material is used to mate with the magnets 62 or 64 of theelastically deformable gasket 42.

The form factor and drainage properties of the sunroof 14 and outerframe of the sunroof 14 partly determines the outer dimensions of theelastically deformable gasket 42 of the sealing device 26 and how itseals against the roof of the vehicle 10. In the most protectiveembodiment, the outer edges of the elastically deformable gasket 42preferably extend past the outer frame of the sunroof 14 and seatagainst the roof of the vehicle 10 when the second set of surveillanceequipment 24 is in its operational position (FIG. 2D), therebycompletely covering all components of the sunroof 14. In an alternativeembodiment wherein the outer frame of the sunroof 14 has a significantlip and the ability to drain water falling on the lip so that the waterdoes not enter the interior space of the vehicle 10, the outer edges ofthe elastically deformable gasket 42 may seat against the lip of theouter frame of the sunroof 14 when the second set of surveillanceequipment 24 is in its operational position (FIG. 2D). Sunroofenclosures are typically designed with a gutter trough for water to runalong, and a drain tube sheds water down the vehicle to the ground.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle having an interior cabin and a roof atthe top of the interior cabin, the vehicle comprising: (a) a flatbed;(b) an opening in the roof of the interior cabin; (c) a firstretractable telescoping structure configured to receive a first set ofsurveillance equipment that is mounted thereon, the first retractabletelescoping structure being mounted to the flatbed, the firstretractable telescoping structure configured to allow the firstretractable telescoping structure and the associated first set ofsurveillance equipment to both fully retract into the flatbed; (d) asecond retractable telescoping structure configured to receive a secondset of surveillance equipment that is mounted thereon, the secondretractable telescoping structure being configured to allow the secondretractable telescoping structure and the associated second set ofsurveillance equipment to both fully retract into the interior cabin,and to allow the second set of surveillance equipment to extend throughthe opening in the roof by an amount sufficient to allow the second setof surveillance equipment to be fully external to the vehicle, thesecond retractable telescoping structure including a top platform thatis oriented to be parallel to the roof of the interior cabin; (e) asealing device mounted to the second retractable telescoping structurebelow the second set of surveillance equipment and oriented parallel tothe roof of the interior cabin, the sealing device including: (i) arigid support plate fastened to the top platform, wherein the rigidsupport plate includes an upper surface that is configured to allow thesecond set of surveillance equipment to be mounted thereto, and (ii) anelastically deformable gasket fastened above and to the rigid supportplate, the elastically deformable gasket having dimensions larger on allsides than the dimensions of the top platform, the rigid plate, and theopening in the roof, wherein edges of the elastically deformable gasketare configured to elastically deform during travel of the sealing devicethrough the roof of the interior cabin when the second set ofsurveillance equipment extends through the opening in the roof duringextension of the second retractable telescoping structure, and when thesecond set of surveillance equipment retracts into the interior cabinduring retraction of the second retractable telescoping structure. 2.The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the opening in the roof of the interiorcabin is a sunroof of the vehicle.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein theelastically deformable gasket is polychloroprene.
 4. The vehicle ofclaim 1 wherein the rigid support plate is fastened to the top platformvia a brace, the brace being fastened at one end to a top surface of thetop platform, and being fastened at the other end to a bottom surface ofthe rigid support plate.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:(f) a leveler mounted to the second retractable telescoping structure.6. A vehicle having an interior cabin and a roof at the top of theinterior cabin, the vehicle comprising: (a) a flatbed; (b) an opening inthe roof of the interior cabin; (c) a first retractable telescopingstructure configured to receive a first set of surveillance equipmentthat is mounted thereon, the first retractable telescoping structurebeing mounted to the flatbed, the first retractable telescopingstructure configured to allow the first retractable telescopingstructure and the associated first set of surveillance equipment to bothfully retract into the flatbed; (d) a second retractable telescopingstructure configured to receive a second set of surveillance equipmentthat is mounted thereon, the second retractable telescoping structurebeing configured to allow the second retractable telescoping structureand the associated second set of surveillance equipment to both fullyretract into the interior cabin, and to allow the second set ofsurveillance equipment to extend through the opening in the roof by anamount sufficient to allow the second set of surveillance equipment tobe fully external to the vehicle, the second retractable telescopingstructure including a top platform that is oriented to be parallel tothe roof of the interior cabin; (e) a sealing device mounted to thesecond retractable telescoping structure below the second set ofsurveillance equipment and oriented parallel to the roof of the interiorcabin, the sealing device being fastened to the top platform, thesealing device being an elastically deformable gasket having dimensionslarger on all sides than the dimensions of the top platform and theopening in the roof, wherein edges of the elastically deformable gasketare configured to elastically deform during travel of the sealing devicethrough the roof of the interior cabin when the second set ofsurveillance equipment extends through the opening in the roof duringextension of the second retractable telescoping structure, and when thesecond set of surveillance equipment retracts into the interior cabinduring retraction of the second retractable telescoping structure. 7.The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the opening in the roof of the interiorcabin is a sunroof of the vehicle.
 8. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein theelastically deformable gasket is polychloroprene.
 9. The vehicle ofclaim 6 further comprising: (f) a leveler mounted to the secondretractable telescoping structure.